3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
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Old 02-19-13, 05:00 PM
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Idle everywhere

Weird idle issue once again. Car fully warm and all accessories off. Just driving about in the city and sometimes idle is at 1100 and sometimes it's at 750-850. There is no pattern I can find, just idles where it feels like when I stop. Also if I look closely it's not idling at one number. I can see the needle moving slightly up and down when I look closely. I also did have one incident where it was at 750 and was dipping down to 400 trying to die out.

Dashpot was just replaced. Motor just ended break in period. I couldn't tell you vacuum readings because my gauge still refuses to function correctly. When motor was fresh we checked One of the sensors and it was within spec. I think it was either ISC or TPS. Temps are at 180 the whole time so it's not the fans cycling.
Old 02-19-13, 07:04 PM
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Does electrical load have any impact on it?
IE turn the headlights on, plus heater blower fan- does this alter the idle or stabilize it?

Had this issue with one of my JDM RHD cars, but never got to the bottom of it before I got rid of the car.
Old 02-19-13, 07:07 PM
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No effect when it's at the 1k idle. When it's at 750-850 idle does jump around 900-1000 when electrical load is added. Same thing happens when fans turn on at 203 F
Old 02-19-13, 07:20 PM
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Could be lots of things. A bad clutch switch will cause idle issues. Thats what I would check first.
Old 02-20-13, 01:33 AM
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Heres what my clutch switch looks like, Im not sure what to look for. This is with the pedal depressed. But I dont have any difference if my foot is on the clutch or not with my issues.

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Old 02-20-13, 09:05 AM
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If the pin goes in and out normally, its probably ok. It is spring loaded. Just push it in and make sure it springs back out.

If you think it may be bad, remove it and take it apart to clean it. Gently pry the metal tabs back to take it apart. Clean it up, and replace the spring with one from a ball point pen if the spring looks bad.
Old 02-21-13, 10:34 AM
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do your lights dim when the rpms drop down? interior or exterior?
Old 02-21-13, 04:44 PM
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I can check. The only time I noticed that was when I used my car to jump my dads truck. Battery is brand new too.
Old 02-21-13, 04:53 PM
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Also I know of a buddy that had his oil pressure drop to when the rpms fell down to 500 when he got off the gas, does your needle drop orrpms fall then catch or does it just fluctuate
Old 02-21-13, 05:01 PM
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Ensure the TPS is properly adjusted. A sticking thermowax can cause issues as well. Especially if the TPS was adjusted while it was sticking

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...g-more-170731/

Also ensure the idle bleed screw under the throttle body isn't turned more than 1 full turn from completely shut. It's tucked under the input side of the throttle body, and runs parallel with how air flows.

As mentioned, the clutch switch, and the neutral switch both can cause the ECU not to initiate its idle circuit. If you have a Power FC, you can confirm your clutch switch & neutral switch are working properly with the Power Commander. It displays the sensor's on/off state. Also remember, there are two clutch switches. The lower plunger type one is simply a starter relay switch for safety. The switch that affects the ECU is attached to the pedal closer to the firewall.
Old 02-21-13, 11:07 PM
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Originally Posted by ramo
Also I know of a buddy that had his oil pressure drop to when the rpms fell down to 500 when he got off the gas, does your needle drop orrpms fall then catch or does it just fluctuate
Needle doesnt drop when off throttle. My new dashpot is working correctly and drops it slowly. Although I should adjust it because it idles high at first then slowly goes to either the 1100 rpm idle or the 750 idle.

Originally Posted by XLR8
Ensure the TPS is properly adjusted. A sticking thermowax can cause issues as well. Especially if the TPS was adjusted while it was sticking

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...g-more-170731/

Also ensure the idle bleed screw under the throttle body isn't turned more than 1 full turn from completely shut. It's tucked under the input side of the throttle body, and runs parallel with how air flows.

As mentioned, the clutch switch, and the neutral switch both can cause the ECU not to initiate its idle circuit. If you have a Power FC, you can confirm your clutch switch & neutral switch are working properly with the Power Commander. It displays the sensor's on/off state. Also remember, there are two clutch switches. The lower plunger type one is simply a starter relay switch for safety. The switch that affects the ECU is attached to the pedal closer to the firewall.
The picture that I took, is that is the correct switch? Also I did notice that sometimes I can hear some backfire out of the tailpipe downshifting. Just figured im running rich but I guess it can be related. Ill check the bleed screw and TPS when I find time. Ill be buying a Power FC to help with situations like this. I was hesistant on buying it since it doesnt retard timing on knock situations, I just like how the stock ECU can do that for safety.
Old 02-22-13, 08:58 AM
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Yes, that is the correct clutch switch. The other one interacts with your starter.
Old 02-24-13, 12:50 PM
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Looks like I still get idle surging when car is cold coming to a stop. Guess dashot needs tweaking since I just put it in there. I didn't do the part where someone's holds the rev at 2.5k.
Old 02-24-13, 08:40 PM
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Car died randomly after I started it after work today.
Old 02-25-13, 07:57 AM
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What were noticeable things that happened to the car before it died.

Mine use to have the issue when I would blip the throttle the rpms would drop, cat shook, and it died.

Fixed it by adjusting the dashpot
Old 02-25-13, 11:17 AM
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It was weird, just started her up it idled normally just like any cold start and just went dead. No bucking or anything. No CEL and the only code I have thats being thrown is AWS because I don't have that system in there. Going to mess with all the adjustments today and see if I can fix it.
Old 02-25-13, 02:10 PM
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Also would a broken throttle cable bracket cause some problems? Mine broke when I dropped the motor in. One of my brackets does exist still.
Old 02-26-13, 12:15 PM
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I closed my air bleed screw to half a turn. I am now idling at 400-500 fluctuating. Also backfires on decel. Didnt get a chance to mess with TPS because had a different issue rise.

Also I'll be getting a power fc next week.

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Old 02-26-13, 01:35 PM
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I would adjust your idle , that is WAY to low

Min I would do 850, 900 is better

Theres a screw on the left side of the throttle body, it's very small and requires a flat head. You have to unscrew the nut on it first, adjust, then re tighten
Old 02-26-13, 03:33 PM
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Yeah ended up dying right when I got to work. I'll just open the air bleed more.
Old 02-26-13, 03:42 PM
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if youre keeping your idle that low, youll keep having problems
Old 02-26-13, 05:04 PM
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It was unintentional. Lol
Old 02-26-13, 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by jayscoobs
It was unintentional. Lol
had the EXACT same problems. Just like you ended up getting a PFC (I was hoping it might help diagnose the problem). Installed it last week, changed nothing, and now my idle is rock solid (and cold start issues have gone away). Wish I could explain it, maybe there was some problem with my stock ECU??? Hopefully you'll have the same experience and the PFC will 'just fix it'.

Justin
Old 02-26-13, 09:46 PM
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Yeah to my understand a power fc doesn't need all of the stock crap to idle the car correctly. Maybe that's why people get rid of a lot of it when they buy a power fc. And I assume that's why when you buy the unit it learns the idle on first start.
Old 03-02-13, 12:47 PM
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TPS was out of spec. We realigned it and idle improved a lot. Still have a small issue which is quite weird. Pressing on the brake makes idle drop to a undesirable level. It will also dip down like that sometimes as we'll without the brake. If I blip the throttle it goes back at the intended set idle.

This is a fresh motor. Didnt do any of this during break in, I'm just out of my break in period.


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